Look around a waiting room at a university counseling center and you’ll see students wrestling with all sorts of issues: The one who’s failing because of binge drinking. Another who’s struggling with a roommate conflict, or a recent break-up. Yet another who’s stressed out and suicidal.

Many centers are more swamped than ever, college therapists say, particularly at this time of year, in the frenzy of final exams and job searches.

Though there’s debate about why there are more students seeking services, there is agreement on this: The increase in demand, those therapists say, has made it even more crucial to zero in on the students who are in the most distress.